How I Lost 60 Pounds: My Journey to Getting in Shape

It took me three years to get in shape—three years of trial and error, mistakes, frustration, and, ultimately, success. I’ve tried every fad diet under the sun. You name it, I’ve done it: low-carb, juice cleanses, shakes for meals, eating nothing but cabbage soup for a week (seriously, never again). Sure, some of these diets worked for a short time. I’d lose weight, feel good for a bit, and then life would happen. I’d quit the diet, and boom—every pound came crawling back, bringing a few friends with it. I hated those diets, and more importantly, I hated the foods. I wasn’t about to spend my life choking down bland chicken and miracle shakes.

The truth is, I struggled with my weight and energy for years. I’d lose steam halfway through the day, and my pants seemed to shrink every time I threw them in the dryer (or at least, that’s what I told myself). I knew I had to do something, but I wanted a solution that actually worked. Something sustainable. Something that let me eat real food—the food I loved.

It was during one of my frustrated moments that I thought, “What if I just ate a little less?” No rules. No off-limits foods. Just less. I didn’t have to give up pizza, sweets, or my favorite burgers. I could still eat them, but I didn’t need to eat the whole thing. That’s when my personal strategy was born: eat half of everything.

The Half-and-Water Trick

Here’s what I did: every time I sat down for a meal, I’d start by eating half of what I wanted. Then, I’d drink a big glass of water and wait ten minutes. If I was still hungry after that, I’d go for seconds—but with a catch. I’d only eat half of what I wanted for seconds, too. Then more water, more waiting.

And guess what? It worked!

At first, I’ll admit it was hard. I was so used to piling up my plate and finishing every last bite. But I stuck with it, and slowly my body adjusted. I wasn’t stuffing myself anymore, and I started recognizing when I was actually full. The water helped, too. It gave my brain time to catch up with my stomach.

The best part? I never felt deprived. If I wanted cookies, I had cookies. If I craved pizza, I ate pizza. I just had less. This method let me enjoy my favorite foods without guilt because I was still eating in moderation. It became a game I played with myself—how much less could I eat and still feel satisfied?

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Over time, the weight started coming off. It wasn’t dramatic or overnight, but the pounds started to drop, little by little. After a year, I looked in the mirror and realized I’d lost 20 pounds. I felt better. I had more energy. My pants fit again (finally). By the end of three years, I was 60 pounds lighter. Sixty!

It wasn’t just the weight loss that felt amazing. I learned to listen to my body. If I was hungry, I ate. I never ignored my hunger or forced myself to suffer. But I also realized that, more often than not, I didn’t need as much food as I thought I did.

Why This Worked for Me

I think the reason this approach worked was because it wasn’t a “diet.” There were no rules to break, no foods I couldn’t have, and no guilt when I ate something indulgent. I just kept it balanced and portioned. I didn’t quit or feel like a failure because there was nothing to quit.

Unlike the countless diets I tried before, I didn’t feel like I was punishing myself. Diet foods always felt like misery in a box, and they only worked as long as I was on the program. As soon as I stopped, the weight came right back. Not this time.

Reflecting Back

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I didn’t give up, even when I wanted to. I learned that getting healthy doesn’t mean giving up what you love. It’s about enjoying food—real food—in smaller portions. It’s about balance, patience, and consistency.

To anyone who’s struggling with their weight, I’ll say this: you don’t need magic shakes, weird cabbage soup, or diets that make you miserable. Start small. Eat less, drink water, and listen to your body. It worked for me, and I promise it can work for you, too. You don’t have to give up the foods you love to change your life—you just need to learn to love them a little less at a time.